Welcome to the Rich Molecular Health Lab at the University of
Nebraska Omaha! We integrate molecular ecology and physiology,
bioinformatics, wildlife conservation, biomedical sciences, and
population biology. This comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach
allows us to enhance the health, welfare, and conservation of primates
and other mammals. Our evidence-based strategies directly inform animal
care practices and global conservation efforts.
Research Focus
Molecular Health and Conservation Genomics
Our lab applies advanced genomic techniques to study mammalian
health, welfare, and conservation:
- Gut Microbiome and Chronic Disease Risk:
Investigating relationships between diet, microbiome composition,
inflammation, and chronic disease in captive and wild primates.
- Bioactive Foods and Receptor Physiology: Examining
plant compounds in diets and their impacts on primate reproduction and
endocrine health.
- Molecular Tools for Population Management: Using
portable sequencing technologies to perform rapid, low-cost,
mitochondrial genome sequencing for improved species management and
taxonomic revision.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) Monitoring: Developing
streamlined methods for non-invasive genetic monitoring of urban and
wild North American mammalian populations.
- Heavy Metal Toxicity and Microbiome
Buffering: Studying how heavy metals impact health and how
gut microbiomes may mitigate toxic effects in zoo animals.
Join Us!
Are you interested in joining or collaborating with our lab? We
encourage you to explore our current projects and opportunities. You can
reach out to the PI, Dr. Alicia Rich, via email to discuss potential
collaborations. See the profile of current lab
members if you are interested in pursuing graduate or undergraduate
research in the lab.